Badger Creek State Recreation Area in Iowa, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-23. Check linked official notices before travel.

Badger Creek State Recreation Area is a fishing, boating, and hunting destination southwest of Des Moines, Iowa. The lake has launches on both shores and a no-wake rule for every boat. Plan a self-contained outdoor visit rather than expecting a developed campground resort.

A lake visit near Des Moines

• Launch from the east or west shore.
• Fish from the bank or the fishing jetties.
• Use the public hunting land during lawful seasons, or watch migrating birds.

Know the recreation-area rules

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Check the state recreation-area rules and posted signs before an early, late, or hunting visit.

Shared hunting land and slow boating

Be aware that hunting is an intended use here. Check the relevant season before exploring away from the lake access points. Keep boat speed low enough to comply with the no-wake requirement, including when you use a larger motor.

Keep access points usable

Use designated roads and parking lots. Do not leave a vehicle on a road or block a launch. Bring a bag for your litter and take it away. Keep pets confined or on a leash no longer than six feet.

Lake access and the separate office

The recreation area is on 120th Street near Van Meter in Madison County. Choose the east or west boat ramp before you drive around the lake. The mailing address at Walnut Woods in Des Moines is an administrative contact, not the Badger Creek entrance.

Use the location link on the official Badger Creek profile for your arrival plan. Call the office if you need help identifying the appropriate shore access.

Nearby state parks

Walnut Woods State Park on Walnut Woods Drive in West Des Moines is another road-accessible stop northeast of Badger Creek. Lake Ahquabi State Park on 118th Avenue near Indianola is a regional option to the southeast. Use each park's own entrance address.

Fishing, boating, and birding

Choose a shoreline jetty for a land-based fishing outing or launch your own boat from either side of the lake. Bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish are among the fish listed by DNR. Check fishing requirements and current conditions before your trip.

Birding offers an alternative to fishing. Migratory birds use the area through the year. Keep your route clear of active hunting activity and observe birds without following or disturbing them.

Basic lakeside facilities

DNR lists parking, boat ramps, a dock, and pit toilets. Bring the supplies you need for the visit. Arrange an overnight stay separately rather than arriving with an assumed campsite booking at this lake.

About Badger Creek

A reservoir built in 1980

The lake was constructed in 1980. Later watershed work addressed sediment and nutrient runoff from surrounding land. The work focused on runoff entering the lake from its drainage area.

Fish and migrating birds

The lake supports the fish described above. Migratory birds also use the surrounding land and water. Observe them from a safe position clear of active hunting areas.

Contact the managing office

Call 515-285-4502 for Badger Creek access and activity questions. Iowa DNR manages the site. For historical lake context, the 2012 watershed plan explains the reservoir's development and watershed work.